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| Esther Perel on Peace {source} |
This past week there was a Sewcialist post about some of the disturbing and very troubling events that occurred in the United States where comments questioned why it would appear on a sewing page. There were comments that demonstrated an unwillingness to listen and learn from other's view points and personal experiences. These stories are part of our everyday lives if we want to admit it or not and I strongly believe that they do belong on a sewing page.
British fashion designer Betty Jackson responded to a 2016 interview question on what inspires her as a designer.
"Fashion designers respond to social, economic change, it's a reflection of what's happening, really, in the world."
Thank God technology allows for stories to be retold by citizen journalists from the lies and misrepresentation presented by the American president and his administration. It is not just a U.S. story, there are many places in the world where examples of how words can give permission to horrific actions. I watch the news and my thoughts turn to the pages of Left to Tell, Immaculee Ilibagiza's memoir while seeing parallels to this modern day tragedy.
Positive change will come if only we can listen with empathy, kindness and an open heart. I know I don't share the same experience of fear as Immaculee and other minorities who have been targeted and judged simply by their appearance and the words that have made them a target of unjustified judgement, treatment and murder. My heart aches for the world and I long to understand and educate myself so that I'm brave enough to stand and protect others from these injustices in the world and to understand the powerful structures that have created the privileges I experience living in a first world county as a person who is not overtly judged by the colour of my skin.
We all have the opportunity to finish writing the next chapter of this story that plays out in our own neighbourhoods every day by actively listening with empathy, kindness and open heart so real change can occur in ourselves. God willing. And if it starts in a sewing page on Instagram, so be it. I think the Sewcialists Instagram page and the sewists who share their lived experiences should be applauded for having the courage to open up dialogue and share resources. Listening and reading stories are part of, hopefully, understanding. Of course, it has a place on a sewing blog or page. It is part of our daily lives, just as sewing. Just like a garment can not be complete without all the pieces, so is a story. It is not coherent if all the pieces are not put together with care.
Needless to say, my sewing mojo has taken a hit. It's hard to find joy in sewing right now. The sewing I'm doing right now is to take my mind off things when the images and words on the news on the radio are too much. I'm sewing for others right now. I have more scrub caps for nurses at a care home to send off and other little projects on the go. I feel a need to sew for others and to feel like I'm helping someone in some way.
But it doesn't mean that I'm capable to take on anything thrown my way, with the diminished sewing mojo, there are limits to what I'm able to take on. Someone I care about asked me to do an alteration project this weekend. Something made out of velvet. I said that I'm not the best person to tackle this request, velvet is challenging to work with and alterations is not my sewing super power. My words fell to the side lines. ~sigh~ Why is it so hard for people to listen?
This weekend, I made a soccer ball print face mask, it's my missing the 2020 Euro Cup games face mask. They're postponed until 2021. For the face mask, I used the Dhurata Davies pattern, quilting cotton for the outer and lining fabric and interlined with a cotton knit.
Well, that's all in sewing news today.
Stay Safe, Be Kind and Happy Sewing!
Thank you for your thoughtful and kind post. It’s not easy to take a stand, but I hope everyone does.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your thoughts and perspective. Thank you for being brave. These times are hard. It's not easy dealing with the emotions of one dramatic event after another. It takes its toll. Hopefully this will end soon or at the least some form of civility can return, particularly to our leadership. I am retired now and worked for many companies unfortunaely due to layoffs and mergers over the years. One thing I learned with no exceptions, the culture of a company is set buy its leader. Countries and their leaders are no different. Thank you again for sharing your feelings.
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